Oldest poppy seller is 103-year-old WW2 veteran

A 103-year-old World War Two veteran has been named as Britain’s oldest poppy seller.

Walter ‘Wally’ Randall is considered to be the oldest fundraiser for the Royal British Legion after selling poppies for the last 70 years.

Mr Randall, who celebrated his 103rd birthday on 8 September, said: “I like to do my little bit to help the heroes, like those on the Invictus Games. I hope to be selling on Mondays and Wednesdays for a few hours or for as long as I have the energy."

Born in the village of Wing, Buckinghamshire, Mr Randall has been selling poppies for the Royal British Legion in Leighton Buzzard, since the early 1950s.

He was in the service corps during World War Two before becoming chairman and club chairman for the Leighton Buzzard Royal British Legion.

The veteran soldier is now the proud recipient of a lifetime certificate for services to the local branch and has showed no signs of hanging up his collection tin yet.

This year he will return to the retail shop Wilko in Bedfordshire to continue to sell poppies.

Mr Randall added: “Old friends come up and it’s amazing how generous people are. They come and put money in the box and say ‘I have already got a poppy’.

“I am looking forward to it, I do enjoy it and people are so generous.”

The Royal British Legion is calling on the nation to wear their poppies with pride and back its ‘Thank You’ movement in the year that marks the end of the First World War centenary.

A host of famous names have already showed their support, including Bear Grylls, Mark Strong, Lance Sergeant Johnson Beharry and Dr Christian Jessen.

The Royal British Legion’s director of fundraising, Claire Rowcliffe said: “We are calling on the nation to say ‘Thank You’ to the First World War generation, not only the British Armed Forces, but those who fought alongside them from today’s Commonwealth, the countless men, women and children who played their part on the home front and the pioneers and artists who have left long lasting legacies.

“The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath of the First World War when the charity was founded...Generations of the Armed Forces have continued to serve and sacrifice since the First World War, and we recognise and thank them all for their unique contribution."